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King: It is unfair for citizens to carry burden of financial reform alone

King voices confidence in Jordanians’ sense of responsibility, Jordan’s ability to overcome challenges

By JT - Jun 03,2018 - Last updated at Jun 03,2018

His Majesty King Abdullah chairs a meeting of the National Policies Council in Amman on Saturday (Photo courtesy of Royal Court)

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday affirmed that it is unfair for citizens to be left alone to carry the burden of financial reform, stressing that shortcomings in providing vital services such as education, healthcare and transport will not be tolerated.

King Abdullah underlined that all state institutions are required to tighten and rationalise spending, calling for taxes to be balanced with the quality of services provided to citizens, according to a Royal Court statement.

Chairing a National Policies Council meeting upon returning to Jordan, His Majesty urged the government and Parliament to lead a comprehensive, rational, national dialogue to reach a consensus on the income tax draft law that does not fatigue the public, combats evasion and improves efficiency of tax collection.

His Majesty stressed the importance of the active participation of political parties, professional associations and civil society institutions in the dialogue by providing realistic, workable recommendations that serve national interests.

At the meeting, attended by HRH Prince Feisal, Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Senate President Faisal Fayez, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Atef Tarawneh, His Majesty noted that self-reliance is not merely a slogan, nor is it simply about imposing taxes.

Self-reliance, His Majesty affirmed, entails active government institutions capable of providing quality services and attracting investments, and empowering governorate and municipal councils to deliver development and quality services around the Kingdom.

The King voiced his confidence in Jordanians’ sense of responsibility, and in Jordan’s ability to overcome challenges.

“I know how much Jordanians have endured; this is their true mettle. We are working day and night to overcome this difficult situation,” His Majesty said at the meeting.

He stressed that the challenges facing the economy are due to the difficult regional conditions.

“The problem does not lie in Jordan. Jordanians are ready to sacrifice for their country, and with their strong resolve, we will persevere and overcome these challenges, as we have surmounted others before,” the King affirmed.

His Majesty said that achieving such a goal requires working in unity to reach a consensus where Jordan, its economy and future generations reap the benefits, adding that the difficult times facing Jordan and the choices available to the Kingdom now are not the same as five or ten years ago.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs Jamal Sarayrah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Jafar Hassan, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Adnan Jundi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas and Adviser to His Majesty for Tribal Affairs Sharif Fawwaz Zaben attended the meeting.

Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani, Interior Minister Samir Mubaidin, Public Security Directorate Director Maj. Gen. Fadel Hmoud, and General Directorate of the Gendarmerie Director Maj. Gen. Hussein Hawatmeh were also in attendance.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben, who is also His Majesty King Abdullah&rsquo;s military adviser, on Tuesday received a British military delegation headed by Maj. Gen. Nick Welch.

Amman — His Majesty King Abdullah, upon his return to Jordan on Thursday, chaired a National Policies Council (NPC) meeting at Al Husseiniya

Comments

DR SAMUEL IHEMDI (not verified)

Sun, 06/03/2018 - 17:58

SATANAY IS RIGHT ON THE MONEY BECAUSE JORDAN VALUES, TRUST AND HELP ALL THEIR ALLIES, FIGHT ON THEIR BEHALF, DIE ON THEIR BEHALF, MAKE ENEMIES BY BEING THERE WHEN NEEDED BUT ONLY GET A PAT ON THE BACK AND HYPOCRITICAL MUMBO JUMBO TALK WHILE THEY TAKE THEIR MONEY TO THOSE WHOM THEIR LIFES AND LIBERTY MATTERS MORE. JORDAN HAS ONLY 38 BILLION DOLLARS DEBT WHICH EITHER THE USA, ENGLAND OR GERMANY CAN PAY OFF NOW. NEVER MIND THE COLLECTION OF THESE COUNTRIES OR THE GULF STATES WHICH CAN SHARE IT AT THE COST OF PENNIES. UNFORTUNATELY, THESE ACTORS ARE BUSY USING THEIR FUNDS AND RESOURSES TO CREATE MORE HAVOC AND CHAOS IN THE REGION. THANKS TO PERSON WHO POSTED THIS SENTENCE ABOVE.

Prof. M Zahidul... (not verified)

Sun, 06/03/2018 - 17:01

I sincerely appreciate HM King Abdullah's concern to resolving the present crisis in Jordan centering the draft tax law and price-hike of fuel and energy. I liked the King's observation-(quote)"His Majesty noted that self-reliance is not merely a slogan, nor is it simply about imposing taxes.Self-reliance, His Majesty affirmed, entails active government institutions capable of providing quality services and attracting investments, and empowering governorate and municipal councils to deliver development and quality services around the Kingdom".
I think, the above observation is applicable to all those countries which are striving for attaining self-reliance. I firmly hope that the on-going crisis will be ended soon through dialogue and rational appreciation.

Satanay Mufti Dorken (not verified)

Sun, 06/03/2018 - 09:11

Enough with the praise for Jordan. If the world community cares we should have our debts cancelled

DR SAMUEL IHEMDI (not verified)

Sun, 06/03/2018 - 00:50

EXCELLENT SPEACH AND VERY GOOD TRACK OF APPROACH TO FIND A REASONABLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE KINGDOM'S ECONOMIC SITUATION. YES, THE CITIZENS ARE ANGRY BUT THEY CAN ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT NO SINGLE JORDANIAN OR ENTITY CAUSED THIS SITUATION. AS HIS MAJESTY STATED, IT IS CAUSED BY THE COMBINATION OF FACTORS WITH COMMON DENOMINATOR OF THE INSTABILITY IN THE REGION. THE MISTAKE HAS BEEN MADE BY ALLOWING SO MANY WARS IN THAT REGION. ASSUMING THAT THE LEADERS OF THE ARAB WORLD WILL NOW STOP ACCOMODATING WAR MONGERS IN THEIR BACK YARD, JORDAN CAN NOW RE-SET THE FOCUS AND DIRECTION OF THE COUNTRY. THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO POINT FINGERS OR ANGER TOWARDS ANY ONE BUT A TIME TO WORK COLLECTIVELY AND REBUILD. ONE THING THAT CAN ACT AS THE CATALYST IS THE INFUSION OF NEW AND YOUNGERS BLOOD INTO THE GOVERNMENT AND NOT TO CONTINUE WITH BUSINESS AS USUAL.

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